Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird Career Comparison: Who Is Truly The Greatest Player To Dominate The 1980s?
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are two of the biggest rivals in NBA history. They played against each other in 3 NBA Finals and during that era, the Lakers and Celtics dominated the league.
Credit: Fadeaway World
Superstar point guard Magic Johnson is one of the most decorated players of all time. He is considered the greatest captain in basketball history because of his playmaking and elite basketball IQ, which led the player to capture an impressive 5 NBA championships in his career, all of them coming as a member of the Lakers. Magic also won 3 Finals MVP awards with the Lakers and 3 MVP awards while also capturing 4 assist titles. No point guard has meant more to the Los Angeles Lakers franchise than Magic Johnson because of the championship success and for being the catalyst of the “Showtime” era that is one of the most beloved teams in NBA history. Perhaps other than Kobe Bryant, no player has meant more to the Purple and Gold than Earvin Johnson.
Of course, Magic’s famous rival, Larry Bird, is right there with him. The superstar Celtic was Magic’s main opponent year after year as they traded MVP award victories and championships. Larry is also regarded widely as one of the ten greatest players who have ever played alongside Magic Johnson. Bird captured an impressive 3 NBA titles, 3 MVPs, and 2 Finals MVP awards. A superstar small forward who was the greatest at his position until LeBron James came around, Larry Bird dominated the 1980s alongside Magic Johnson. Not to mention, Bird was one of the most clutch competitors the game has ever seen.
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But which top-ten player of all time has the edge over another? Magic and Bird owned the 1980s decade and dominated the NBA for such a long time it is hard to put many players ahead of them. Without further ado, here is the ultimate career comparison between Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry “The Great White Hope” Bird.
Championships
Magic Johnson: 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
Larry Bird: 3 (1981, 1984, 1986)
As the floor general for the Lakers' five NBA titles, the famous Magic Johnson served as an enormous guard with ideal guard abilities, including dribbling and passing. He was one of the finest players in the game during each of his five NBA championship seasons and unstoppable on the break. The great Earvin Magic Johnson was the most dominant point guard we have ever seen because of his unmatched playmaking and floor leadership. Even though he took home three of the five Finals MVP awards, Magic was without a doubt the Lakers' leader.
Out of a possible 5 appearances, Larry Bird led his Boston Celtics team to 3 championships in the 1980s. Bird won his first championship in 1981 after the Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets in 6 games, followed by a 7-game victory over the Lakers in 1984. Those are two important victories against other elite superstar players. Larry Legend would once again guide Boston to NBA championship when the Celtics defeated the Rockets in 6 games. Throughout his career, Bird averaged 23.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and 6.0 APG in 31 Finals games. But in the end, Magic Johnson has an edge in championships won.
Advantage: Magic Johnson
Finals MVP Awards
Magic Johnson: 3 (1980, 1982, 1987)
Larry Bird: 2 (1984, 1986)
Magic Johnson was, without a doubt, the best player on the court for 3 of his 5 championship campaigns. Even though James Worthy had clutch efforts in the 1988 Finals and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the man in the 1985 Finals, Magic Johnson was the Finals MVP every other time the Lakers won an NBA championship. Johnson was the Lakers' star performer in 1980, averaging 21.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.7 APG, and 2.7 SPG on 57.3% from the field and 87.5% of his free throw attempts. In the Lakers' subsequent title win, the point guard, who had averaged 16.2 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 8.0 assists per game in a six-game victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, was named Finals MVP. In 1987, Johnson averaged 26.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 13.0 APG to win his 3rd Finals MVP award.
When the Boston Celtics won the championship in 1981, Larry Bird was not named Finals MVP, but he did manage to capture the award over the next two occasions. In 1984, Bird averaged 27.4 PPG, 14.0 RPG, and 3.6 APG. Two years later, Bird was selected Finals MVP after averaging 24.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 9.5 APG. By his numbers, it was obvious Larry knew what he had to do to win games, and that included being a rebounder, scorer, or passer. As an all-around player, Larry was far more than just a sharpshooter. Even if Bird’s two Finals MVP performances were iconic, there is still a massive edge to Magic Johnson in this career comparison.
Advantage: Magic Johnson
MVP Awards
Magic Johnson: 3 (1987, 1989, 1990)
Larry Bird: 3 (1984, 1985, 1986)
With the Lakers, Magic Johnson earned three MVP trophies, and each of those seasons came with strong performances. In 1987, he had his first MVP season, averaging 23.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 12.2 APG in addition to 1.7 SPG. The point guard played for the Lakers for 80 out of 82 games, guiding them to an NBA-best 65-17 record. Johnson averaged 22.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 12.8 APG while leading the Lakers to the second-best record in the NBA in 1989. Magic was once more, without a doubt, the best point guard in the NBA. The following year, in the 1989–90 season, Magic led Los Angeles to 63 wins, which ended up being the most in franchise history. He averaged 22.3 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 11.5 assists.
Just as Magic was as a guard, Bird was arguably the best perimeter player in the 80s, securing 3 straight MVPs from 1984 to 1986. In 1984, Bird won the MVP by averaging 24.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG. The following season, Bird averaged 28.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 6.6 APG, and 1.6 SPG to win the MVP award. Finally, he won it one more time in 1986 when he averaged 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 6.8 APG, and 2.0 SPG. In two of those seasons (1984 and 1986), Bird’s MVP season was the catalyst for an NBA championship. In the end, both players have an equal number of MVP awards.
Advantage: Even
All-NBA Teams
Magic Johnson: 10 (9 First Team, 1 Second Team)
Larry Bird: 10 (9 First Team, 1 Second Team)
With the Lakers, Magic Johnson made 10 All-NBA Team appearances, 9 of which were on the First Team. Those are undoubtedly remarkable accomplishments, and the Lakers have yet to have a point guard with this level of consistency. Due to his ability to elevate his teammates and the fact that he had a history of dominating the biggest games, Magic was a reliable member of All-NBA Teams. As a result, he made an incredible 9 First Team appearances and 1 Second Team appearance. Had Johnson never retired from his HIV diagnosis, he would have made even more All-NBA Team appearances.
Larry Bird was consistent atop the NBA as far as accolades, evidenced by his 9 straight All-NBA First Team selections from 1980 through 1988. Over those 9 seasons, Bird averaged 25.0 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 6.1 APG, and 1.8 SPG. During this time, he led the Celtics to 3 NBA championships and won 3 MVP awards, and solidified himself as one of the best players of his generation. But similarly, Bird made 9 First Team appearances and 1 Second Team appearance which equals Magic’s haul of accolades. In other words, this one is an even comparison.
Advantage: Even
All-Star Selections
Magic Johnson: 12
Larry Bird: 12
As a member of the Lakers, Magic Johnson made a total of 12 All-Star appearances. The point guard had to retire during his peak for four seasons due to HIV, so even if that is less than Kobe's total with the Lakers, it is crucial to note that this was the case. Even yet, making the All-Star Team every year while representing a team as storied as the Lakers is an amazing accomplishment. Magic would have likely made 16 All-Star games with the Lakers had he been able to play, which is almost as many as the All-Star shooting guard made. But again, his retirement caused the legendary point guard to miss out on even more accolades.
Larry Bird is often hailed as one of the ten greatest players ever because he accomplished so much in ten years that a frustrating back issue that ultimately ended his career is never held against him. Larry Bird was an All-Star in his rookie season and made 8 straight All-Star Teams after that. After only playing in 6 games in 1989 due to his back, he would become an All-Star again in 1990 and earn 2 more selections after that to finish out his career. Again, Bird and Magic are even in terms of accolades.
Advantage: Even
All-Defensive NBA Teams
Magic Johnson: 0
Larry Bird: 3 (3 Second Team)
Magic Johnson had the stature to be a force at his position simply by virtue of his size at 6'9" and 215 lbs. Due to the other talented defenders, he had by his side, Magic would frequently not be the designated defensive player. Even yet, the point guard had an amazing career average of 1.9 SPG and twice led the NBA in thefts. However, he did not make any All-Defensive teams. Therefore, he is not as fortunate as Larry Bird, who was considered a better defender by most accounts.
Larry Bird was more of a well-known defender than Magic because he had a shiftiness of getting under opponents’ skins and forcing them into uncomfortable positions. For his career, Bird averaged 1.7 SPG and 0.8 BPG during the regular season and 1.8 SPG and 0.9 BPG in the playoffs. Bird was named to 3 All-Defensive Teams in his career, all as a member of the Second Team. Larry made the All-Defensive Teams between 1982 and 1984, never averaging under 1.8 SPG and 0.9 BPG in any of those seasons. An above-average shot-blocker for his position and a crafty defender who would also employ dirty tricks, Bird was a better defender than Magic.
Advantage: Larry Bird
Total Win Shares
Magic Johnson: 155.8
Larry Bird: 145.8
Magic’s win shares rating is higher than Larry Bird’s. The superstar point guard influenced the game in a variety of ways, including having a high field goal percentage when he shot the ball, controlling the game through elite passing ability, and rebounding from the guard position. Of course, Magic won a ton of games with the Los Angeles Lakers and had a ton of help in the forms of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy for most of his career. In a nutshell, Magic influenced winning, and he had a ton of games won as a player for the Lakers.
Just like Magic, Bird was the most valuable player to his franchise for most of his career as well. Bird amazingly once led the NBA in win shares in back-to-back seasons in 1985 and 1986, winning the MVP award both times. An all-time great winner with winning intangibles, his 145.8 total win shares for his career rank 29th all-time. But in the end, Magic’s win shares rank 22nd all-time, and that means the Lakers star has an advantage again.
Advantage: Magic Johnson
Career Player Efficiency Rating
Magic Johnson: 24.1
Larry Bird: 23.5
To cap off an all-time great career comparison, Magic Johnson had a PER figure of 24.1, which is really great even through 13 years. Posting 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 11.2 APG as a member of the Lakers, Magic managed to have shooting splits of 52.0% FG and 84.8% FT. Johnson was never much of a three-point shooter, which is why he never attempted that many outside shots and focused on what he did best. The greatest point guard ever was a stat-sheet stuffer with the Lakers and ultimately has the edge in PER even against an all-time great player in Larry Bird.
Larry Bird’s PER of 23.5 is very high, considering his career should have lasted much longer than it did. Regardless, Larry had career averages of 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 6.3 APG while shooting 49.6% from the field, 37.6% from three, and 88.6% from the free-throw line. An all-time great stat-sheet stuffer, Bird influenced the game in a lot of ways, and that is why his PER rating is so high. But in the end, Magic has a higher PER rating, and that should settle the career comparison once and for all.
Advantage: Magic Johnson
Final Score
Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird 4-1
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are two of the greatest players of all time. In fact, they are closely linked and occupy most top-ten lists when considering the best to have ever done it. Magic and Bird were the superstars of the 1980s, and each player had an argument for being the best at their position. But there could only be one winner in the career comparison, and that goes to Magic Johnson, the greatest point guard and leader we have ever seen. With a score of 4-1, the comparison is clear.
Magic won more titles than Larry Bird and thus had a chance to capture an extra Finals MVP award. The point guard also has an edge in individual stats because his passing was extraordinarily great for the Lakers franchise, which had some other elite talents such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, among others. Johnson won more games and accomplished a little more than Larry did over 13 seasons. Johnson is a better passer, leader, and floor general than Bird.
Larry Bird’s only advantage in this career comparison came with regard to defense, where he used his shot-blocking and lane activity to make 3 All-Defensive Teams. Sure, Bird was a better rebounder, but he was supposed to be, considering he was supposed to roam and crash the boards as a wing. Bird was also a better shooter and scorer, averaging more PPG and having a higher field-goal percentage. But Bird never accomplished as much as Magic did because the point guard just knew how to make his teammates better than anyone we had ever seen.
There should be no doubt that both Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are two of the ten greatest players ever, but most fans and pundits do rank the point guard above the forward. That is clear when looking at the career comparison, and it should be settled that Johnson had the better career. Some might argue that Bird was a better individual player, but in terms of career accolades, Magic has the edge, and that will be set in stone.
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